• The Cycling News forum is still looking to add volunteer moderators with. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to @SHaines here on the forum, or use the Contact Us form to message the Community Team.

    In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.

    Thanks!

Hot racing coming up in Australia

Page 83 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.
Re: Re:

The comparison between Bevin and Ewen is meaningless.

Suppose we decide, that's it, we're going to clamp down on pacing in the caravan. How is that supposed to work? It them becomes impossible to get back to the bunch, since the caravan often takes up the entire safe width of the road. So pragmatically, a certain amount of drafting in the caravan is accepted. And once some is accepted, riders and teams are going to use that to full advantage.

On Caleb -- there's a certain arrogance by fans that Caleb is a star and has a RIGHT to Sagan's wheel. That was an aggressive move to take the wheel away. Sure, there's going to be bumping in sprints, but this was overt. It wasn't "holding line" or avoiding barriers. Caleb wanted the wheel, which was his by right, and he wasn't going to let another rider have it. We can debate nuance but in the end he threw himself at the mercy of the judges and the result was just.
 
I think there was some pity involved with Bevan as he is the race leader and appeared to be badly injured.
As for Ewan, I've seen better and worse decisions and I've seen better and worse transgressions when it comes to employing rough-house methods in the Sprint. There wouldn't be a top sprinter over the years that hasn't been busted for this type of thing.
It seems Ewan isn't the most popular rider in the peloton judging by fan reaction generally.
 
How often do you see riders using their heads, shoulders and elbows in the run in to sprints especially from the overhead shots ? There is a lot of jockeying for position before the final 200 metres. If Ewan had finished 10th on the stage nothing would have been done..........if Bevin had made it back to the front and won the sprint he probably would have been DQed for drafting.........such is the application of the rules in pro cycling.
 
https://twitter.com/CCCProTeam/status/1086748005565267968
Race leader @PaddyBevin has been given the go ahead to race #TourDownUnder stage six by @CCCProTeam's medical team. It's not going to be an easy day in the saddle but Paddy is as tough as they come. Get ready to cheer him on for one last day!

I expect it will not come as a surprise if he does not make it to the finish then. Bravo for trying though!
 
Some details of Old Willunga Hill climb done twice today - 2.9 km at 7.4% average.
https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/blog/tour-down-under-old-willunga-hill-climb
When you think of the Tour Down Under, you think of Old Willunga Hill.
...
The climb is a steady one and aside from the solid gradient, there are no surprises or steep sections that will catch you out. Old Willunga Hill is certainly a climb tailor made for guys like Simon Gerrans and Rohan Dennis: not pure climbers, but strong powerful riders. The climb is split into three distinct sections that soften in gradient as you ascend.

The first kilometre of the climb is approximately 9% gradient and if you don't pace yourself through this early section, you'll pay for it later. The second kilometre eases slightly to approximately 7% but is a steady drag and gives you no respite. The final kilometre is by far the fastest section of the climb with a gradient of 6% and plenty of painted slogans on the road to let you know the end is close. The climb is over once you pass the enormous yellow painted crown on the road.

Richie Porte holds the record for the climb at 6:39, but no one else comes close to that time.